What is the point in reporting transport crime to the police?

chuckley

I got robbed on a bus a while ago. Reported it to the police within minutes. Got the usual 24 hr follow up call for proper report.

Two days later I got a call asking for my oyster number so they can get CCTV footage. Here's the first hole in the story...

I was told it can take up to 2 weeks for CCTV and even longer for bus data, but was assured footage would be held.

I get a call a week later saying they've closed the case as CCTV footage has been wiped.

I asked !!!!!! is going on as its only been a short time from theft to request for CCTV and was told 'well 4 days between ur report and u givin ur oyster # was lost.' I told him that wasn't my fault and he said it was down to the initial operator to request it but as they aren't local they are unaware of local procedures.

They can't get data from bus company without CCTV proof so its a dead end.

Apparently footage is only kept for x amount of time but he couldn't specify...

He was quick to tell me the team are busy with a stabbing in the same area a week later and maybe thats why as its serious. I could understand if it was the same date but a week later that ur excuse?

Basically unless ur physicaly attacked they don't care?

So now these scumbags have gotten away with it as they didn't touch me.

What a great message the police are sending out!!!

FUMING!!!!

Stigy

I can see your frustration, but unfortunately not everything works out the way we'd like. I assume there was no CCTV on the street of offenders as they left the bus? Although circumstantial, it could still prove vital.

Also, don't want this to come out wrong and make it look like you don't know what you're talking about, but I'll throw it out there anyway...

Were you robbed or stolen from? The reason I ask is that it's a commonly misused term for theft, and as such the Police would obviously not take it with such high priority etc. A robbery is where there's the threat or use of violence to you when going to steal from you, whereas theft is just that...theft. For example if somebody says "Give me your f*cking phone or I'll knock your teeth out" or "Give me your money" *whilst brandishing a knife*, this is a robbery. Somebody nicking your phone, even if you see them do sdo, with no threat of violence, is just a theft.

chuckley

nah no CCTV at exit stop as it was one of those stops with no shelter.
hopefully one at entry as its a main stop.

Stolen. I totally understand what ur saying, as he basically said the same thing, the rest of what he said was just extra baggage to add weigh to his story on why its closed.

My beef is with the fact I followed their steps to the letter but it still comes down to the fact I cant prove it happened so basically u can steal from anyone and get away with it as long as u dont touch them.

im not surprised ppl dont report things to the police, as they clearly see it as time wasting.

And they say crime figures are reducing...

Thanks so much for ur reply though! Much appreciated!

Oli.s

Blame falling police numbers, plus increase pressure to meet stupid government statistics such as getting to an emergency call location in 15 mins with no staff to send, result is that the police drive from emergency call to emergency call and as long as they hit the 15 min time thats a big tick!

Its a shame the government think people place this as higher priority than actually having enough police officers to both meet the call times and actually have time to make enquiries such as CCTV etc.

I think that the government think the police are overstaffed and just swan around with bags of free time doing nothing. An image not helped by the constant media bashing.

This is a situation that is only going to get worse, especially now the government have cut the starting pay to £19000, but are expecting graduates to apply!, yeah thats gonna happen.

Stigy

What about council CCTV? There are often cameras on the street theee days. I know it's now closed, but have all avenues been tried?

chuckley

Oli.s wrote: »

Blame falling police numbers

EXACTLY my first thought!

Stigy - no it was on a main road but not on the high street bit where id expect road CCTV. basically a blind spot

chuckley

Final nail in the coffin:

They phoned to say they 'looked at' the CCTV from the main stop we got on, but apparently as it was dark it doesnt work.

I give up. seriously.